Pigs and Tigers and Rats -- Oh My!: How much do you know about the Chinese zodiac?

The Chinese zodiac has been around for thousands of years, but few people understand how it works. Take this quiz to see if you're an expert in this astrological system.

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Question 1 of 10

The Chinese calendar is ___.

lunar

solar

lunisolar

The Chinese calendar incorporates both lunar and solar elements, so it's lunisolar.

Question 2 of 10

The Chinese zodiac is divided into 12 years. Each year is represented by a particular ___.

animal

While periods of time in the Greek zodiac are represented by both animal and human figures, each year of the Chinese zodiac is represented by a specific animal.

occupation

god

Question 3 of 10

The first animal of the Chinese zodiac is the ___.

ox

rat

According to legend, the rat won a great race against the other animals. While the rat was not the strongest or fastest of the animals, he was able to defeat the others with his wit and industriousness.

tiger

Question 4 of 10

The last animal of the Chinese zodiac is the ___.

pig

The last animal of the 12 is the pig. Some legends have the cat as coming in last but not making the cut of 12.

rabbit

dragon

Question 5 of 10

True or false: The Chinese New Year is on Jan. 1 every year.

true

false

The Chinese New Year changes each year. In 2011, it was on Feb. 03; in 2012, if fell on Jan. 23.

It depends on where in China you are when the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1.

Question 6 of 10

Which other zodiac is similar to the Chinese one?

the German zodiac

the Korean zodiac

the Vietnamese zodiac

The Vietnamese zodiac is almost identical to the Chinese one, but it includes a cat instead of a rabbit.

Question 7 of 10

The Chinese calendar is ___.

linear

cyclical

Unlike the linear Gregorian calendar, the Chinese calendar is cyclical.

neither

Question 8 of 10

How many years does it take to go through a complete cycle in the Chinese calendar?

12 years

24 years

60 years

Each year of the Chinese zodiac is symbolized by one of 12 animals. Five elements are assigned to the 12 animals, so they give different characteristics to each year. Aligning these five elements with the 12 animals creates 60 different combinations that make a 60-year cycle.

Question 9 of 10

According to the Chinese zodiac, the tiger is ___.

authoritative and emotional

According to the Chinese zodiac, the tiger and those born in the years he rules are typically authoritative and emotional. They are also courageous people who can show great strength.